AGP Executive Report

Regional Security: Manama reaffirmed its support for Saudi Arabia and called for an end to repeated Houthi attacks, as Riyadh faced fresh missile threats. Travel: Gulf Air has suspended Riyadh flights through October 17 while the airport remains closed; the disruption is part of wider regional cancellations. Football: Bahrain named Spaniard Felix Sanchez head coach of its national team. The former Qatar coach, who won the 2019 Asian Cup, will take charge in November ahead of the 2027 tournament. Workers: New temporary rules will allow foreign workers to take jobs with other companies for up to 90 days. Parliament: Jalila Al Sayed became Bahrain’s first woman elected First Deputy Speaker.

Regional Travel: Gulf Air has cancelled all flights to and from Riyadh until midnight on October 17, as attacks and airport closures disrupt travel across the region. A Houthi missile was intercepted near Khamis Mushayt, while Riyadh’s airport remains closed for safety checks. Bahrain Football: Spain’s Felix Sanchez has been appointed national team coach and will begin work during the November international break. He previously led Qatar to the 2019 Asian Cup title; Bahrain is preparing for the 2027 Asian Cup and 2030 World Cup qualifying. Worker Rules: Bahrain now allows foreign workers to take temporary assignments with another employer for up to 90 days, subject to worker and employer consent and Labour Market Regulatory Authority approval. Education: CBSE Class 12 exams for students in Bahrain and six other West Asian countries will run from October 23 to 28 for candidates seeking to improve results under the special assessment scheme. Finance and Tourism: BENEFIT and Bede Bahrain will explore offering small loans through BenefitPay, while Bede has launched a multi-currency prepaid card. Bahrain’s tourism authority has also joined the World Travel & Tourism Council as a Destination Partner.

Regional Security: Bahrain condemned the deadly Houthi attacks on Saudi airports and voiced solidarity with Riyadh as strikes hit Dammam, close to the kingdom. The escalation is disrupting air travel and raising security concerns across the Gulf. Parliament: Jalila Al Sayed was elected Bahrain’s first woman First Deputy Speaker as the new legislative session opened, with lawmakers pledging work on growth, investment and food and water security. Trafficking: A regional forum opened in Bahrain to strengthen efforts against human trafficking, bringing officials and experts together through Wednesday. Economy and Community: Visa outlined plans to expand payment interoperability and AI-driven growth across the GCC, while Muharraq’s renovated Casino Park reopened with more than 470 trees, a sports court and walking path.

Fintech: NBB and Bahrain FinTech Bay have opened applications for an AI-focused programme for Bahraini founders, while NBB also became the first bank in Benefit’s trade finance registry, designed to help lenders detect duplicate invoices. Industry: A tender is open for a multi-storey factory project in Salman Industrial City, offering space for SMEs and emerging manufacturers. Digital banking: New partnerships are expanding buy-now-pay-later services, consumer financing and digital cash management across Bahrain. Regional security: Bahrain condemned the deadly attack on Riyadh airport and reiterated support for Saudi Arabia and safer regional air routes. GCC cooperation: Officials from Qatar and other Gulf states met in Manama to discuss economic and development integration. Tourism: Bahrain’s tourism minister said the Kingdom’s WTTC membership will help build international partnerships and attract investment.

Critical Infrastructure: Attacks on data centres in Bahrain and the UAE disrupted banking, payment platforms and other digital services, underscoring the risks to essential systems as cyberattacks and drone threats grow. Trade Finance: NBB has become the first bank in Bahrain’s planned Trade Finance Registry, which will let lenders check invoices in real time to help spot duplicate financing and fraud. Industrial Growth: Bahrain Islamic Bank and the Industry Ministry signed an MoU alongside $32 million in financing packages for manufacturers and SMEs; the ministry has also opened bids for a multi-storey factory complex aimed at smaller industrial businesses. Cultural Access: The Transport Ministry and BACA are exploring public transport links, cultural routes and event services to make heritage sites easier to reach. AI Rules: A Shura Council member says proposed legislation should keep pace with technological change while setting safeguards, compensation routes and penalties for misuse.

Industrial Growth: Bahrain’s Industry and Commerce Ministry and BisB signed a deal to expand financing for manufacturers, backed by $32 million in Sharia-compliant packages for local production, green projects and supply chains. Investment: Edamah promoted Bahrain’s business and development prospects at a global CEO conference in Singapore, seeking partnerships across real estate, tourism and industry. Trade: Bahrain and Pakistan agreed to deepen trade and investment ties and advance work on a GCC-Pakistan free-trade pact. The push comes as Bahrain’s non-oil exports fell 56% in August to $406.4 million. Aviation: Gulf Air ranked first in the Middle East and Africa for on-time arrivals in September, with a 92.9% rate. Labour protections: Bahrain retained its Tier 1 ranking in the US trafficking report for a ninth consecutive year. Regional security: Bahrain condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia’s King Khalid Airport and voiced support for Riyadh.

Bahrain’s Sporting Success: The men’s volleyball team beat Jordan 3-0 to stay unbeaten in the Arab Championship. Bahrain also won gold and bronze in the West Asia beach volleyball tour, while para-taekwondo athlete Ebrahim Redhwan claimed the kingdom’s first World Taekwondo Grand Prix medal. Football: Al Khaldiya snatched a 2-2 draw with champions Muharraq through a stoppage-time equaliser. Fintech & Business: Fintech Forward Bahrain closed with more than 60 strategic agreements and 2,900 participants. Mastercard and stc pay Bahrain are expanding digital payment support for SMEs, while stc pay is rolling out self-service kiosks. GCC Travel: Secretary-General Jasem al-Budaiwi said in Manama that visa-waiver talks for Bahrain and four other Gulf states are “very close,” with a possible update at the October 24 GCC-EU summit. Regional Cooperation: Al-Budaiwi said the Gulf states had grown more united amid regional attacks. Back home, MPs are calling for urgent action over payment-app misuse, and drilling firm executives were jailed in a BD52,000 VAT evasion case.

Fintech: Bahrain’s Fintech Forward 2026 closed with more than 60 agreements and announcements and over 2,900 participants, as banks and payment firms unveiled partnerships to expand digital services. Trade and Security: Bahrain and Pakistan agreed to deepen cooperation and target $1 billion in bilateral trade within three years, while Manama pledged to speed up work on a Pakistan-GCC free trade pact. Their talks also covered regional security and safe shipping. Worker Protection: Bahrain retained Tier 1 status in the US human trafficking report for the ninth consecutive year, with the report citing stronger victim support and wage monitoring. Digital Payments: MPs are demanding safeguards against misuse of BenefitPay requests to harass people who have blocked the sender. Cross-Border Travel: A one-stop travel system for Bahrain-Saudi crossings is advancing, aiming to cut repeat checks and reduce waiting times.

Fintech: Fintech Forward 2026 closed in Bahrain with more than 2,900 participants and over 60 agreements and initiatives. Highlights included BBK’s digital-ledger pilot with Google Cloud and Array, and a Mazad-Soor partnership letting buyers add insurance at checkout. Pakistan ties: Bahrain and Pakistan agreed to establish a trade and investment working group and accelerate efforts to finalise a GCC-Pakistan free trade agreement. Their talks also covered energy, agriculture, logistics and maritime security. GCC cooperation: Manama hosted GCC labour and social development ministerial meetings, with delegates discussing workforce cooperation and regional social programmes.

Pakistan Ties: Bahrain and Pakistan agreed to aim for $1 billion in bilateral trade within three years, set up a government working group on trade and investment, and deepen cooperation across energy, industry and other sectors. They also called for safe shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb. Fintech: stc pay Bahrain will roll out self-service kiosks for cash top-ups, bill payments and money transfers. Beyon Connect and BENEFIT will explore fintech opportunities abroad, while Beyon Money is set to join barq’s digital platform, subject to approvals. GCC Trade: Omani firms signed six agreements with Bahraini companies at Manama’s Made in the GCC forum, aimed at expanding exports and business links. Local Business: Asia Motors launched the 212 BAW SUV brand at its Sitra showroom.

Pakistan Visit: Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani arrived in Islamabad for a two-day visit, where he and Pakistan’s foreign minister will co-chair talks on trade, investment, defence, security and labour ties. Maritime Security: Twelve crew members were injured when a projectile struck the Panama-flagged vessel On Peace after it sailed from Sitrah toward Fujairah. Ten were evacuated for treatment; the projectile’s origin is unknown, and no pollution was reported. Fintech: Bahrain’s finance minister said FinTech Forward 2026 is set to announce more than 60 partnerships, building on 38 agreements signed last year, as the country promotes collaboration on AI, payments and digital identity. Gulf Industry: Manama’s Made in GCC forum is bringing regional manufacturers and officials together to strengthen industrial ties and supply chains. Formula One: Max Verstappen won the rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, as Sepang’s 261,000-strong crowd set an attendance record.

Pakistan Visit: Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani arrived in Islamabad for two days of talks on trade, investment, defence and security, including a joint ministerial commission meeting. Gulf Industry: Crown Prince Salman launched the Made in GCC forum in Bahrain, where officials called for closer regional integration and stronger supply chains. Bahrain and Saudi Arabia also pledged deeper cooperation in energy and industry. Labour Market: The LMRA reported 547 undocumented expatriates deported in September after inspections and joint campaigns across the kingdom. Economy: Bahrain’s non-oil exports of national origin fell 56% year-on-year in August to BD153 million, with aluminium alloys the leading export. AI Legislation: A proposed bill would impose prison terms and fines of up to BD50,000 for harmful AI-generated deepfakes. Digital Connectivity: stc group and Cloudera plan to work together on cybersecurity, connectivity and smart-city projects in Bahrain and Kuwait.

F1 & Bahrain’s spotlight: George Russell’s title hopes took another hit as he’s set to start the Singapore GP from the rear after a power-unit failure in the Bahrain GP at Sepang, with penalties expected after a new unit is needed. Motorsport tech scrutiny: FIA officials are still dealing with fallout from the Bahrain GP chaos in Malaysia, where a software glitch and wet conditions triggered a farcical formation-lap power loss. Local sports shake-up: Bahrain Football Association sacked U-17 coach Ugo Klingor and named Khalid Hassan ahead of the U-17 Gulf Cup in Doha. GCC industry push in Bahrain: The inaugural “Made in GCC” forum and expo opened in Sakhir, with Gulf leaders urging deeper industrial integration and stronger supply chains. Trade facilitation: Kuwait floated a “Gulf Product Industrial Passport” idea to cut repeated paperwork across GCC markets. Regional energy resilience: Saudi Arabia said its East-West pipeline is back to 5.8 million bpd after attacks, underscoring logistics security. Humanitarian in Palestine: Bahrain’s Royal Humanitarian Foundation inspected a health centre project in Jalazone Camp, aimed at serving about 17,000 refugees.

AUBH Leadership: The American University of Bahrain has appointed Dr. Wafa Almansoori as its new university president, tasking her with steering the next phase of academic development. Back-to-School Deals: IMTIAZ and Batelco launched a “Back to School” loyalty campaign with Beyon’s Jawaher, offering IMTIAZ Mastercard holders a chance to win smart devices. Academic Partnerships: The Institute of Public Administration and Arabian Gulf University signed an MoU to boost research, training and public-sector innovation. Energy Planning: Crown Prince Salman reconstituted a committee to oversee Bahrain’s National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy action plans. Healthcare Quality: Bahrain’s NHRA presented two accepted papers at an international health quality conference, including work on hospital KPI reporting and accreditation sustainability. Maritime Security: UKMTO said an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by an unknown projectile on Oct 5, with authorities investigating. F1 Bahrain Link: George Russell is set for a back-of-grid start in Singapore after a power-unit failure in the Bahrain GP in Malaysia. Local Services: Workers can now check work permit status via the MyGov app, while an MP urged raising the BD20 transport allowance to BD60. Court Updates: Two men received prison terms for using stolen bank-card details and OTPs to pay EWA bills, and the Court of Cassation ordered confiscation of unlicensed medicines.

F1 Aftermath & Governance: Formula One is facing fresh calls to “have a hard look” at its rules after Bahrain GP chaos in Malaysia, with the FIA set to review software and engine-reg issues that left drivers stranded and the start delayed. Local Sports & National Teams: Bahrain has parted ways with senior men’s football coach Dragan Talajic and his staff by mutual agreement, with the Bahrain Football Association now scouting candidates ahead of major tournaments including the AFC Asian Cup 2027. GCC Energy Focus: Bahrain hosted GCC electricity and water talks, with Gulf integration flagged as key to electricity and water security, while a separate GCC Petroleum Cooperation Committee meeting reviewed energy strategy, emergency plans for petroleum products, and policy alignment. Housing Push: The Housing Minister says Bahrain is expanding social housing through more options and private-sector partnerships, including financing-linked models and delivery of 50,000 units. Digital Services: LMRA launched a MyGov-based service letting registered workers check work-permit validity via ID and passport details. Community & Culture: The Grand Mosque in Juffair is urging more visitors as daily attendance remains far below pre-cruise levels, and the Italian Embassy marked Ennio Morricone at Bahrain’s music festival. Security & Courts: Bahrain’s Cassation Court upheld prison terms for people convicted over pro-Iran posts. Business & Trade: New Customs rules allow traders to store goods worth BD10,000+ in approved warehouses inside commercial complexes under duty-suspension conditions. Regional Sports: Bahrain’s men’s volleyball team begins title defence at the Arab Championship in Amman against Kuwait.

F1 in Bahrain spotlight: Max Verstappen won the rain-hit Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia at Sepang after a chaotic, software-plagued formation-lap start and a 90-minute delay, with Lewis Hamilton recovering to third and George Russell retiring late—prompting calls for F1 to “have a hard look” at its engine and software rules. FIA under pressure: FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said the body will ensure fairness despite driver complaints about stewarding consistency, while the FIA also moved to investigate the software glitch that left cars without power. Bahrain’s regional reach: Bahrain’s disability inclusion message featured at the IPU Parliamentary Women’s Forum, as a Bahraini MP highlighted local laws and frameworks. Bahrain economy & policy: Bahrain disclosed Golden Residency salary thresholds for professionals, and Investcorp announced it closed its North American Private Equity Fund II at $1.22bn. GCC cooperation: GCC electricity and water leaders met in Manama, stressing power and water as strategic priorities.